davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
MOORISH MEDICINE.
A Land Where Physicians Perform the
Work of Leeches.


Progress in the Treatment of disease
is not everywhere the modern order,
the Moors, whose medical practice is a
singular mixture of little real skill
with an astonishing amount of ignorant
superstition, seeming to be actually
going backward. Says recent writer:
1.-The Moorish medicine man'-we can
hardly call him Enthusiastically dis
plays some skill in COUGHING for catar-
act. He has also an original method
of curing irritation of the eyes due to
the presence of foreign bodies; with
much skill he passes his tongue over
the open eye of the patient, and thus,
without irritating. removes the sand.
grit, etc. For cunoing, the Moor also
makes good use of his mouth; cow 5
horn is placed over the part, and from
a hole at the point of the horn the OPP
orator sucks out the blood. etc. But
the Moor who ventures on such treat
ment will. with equal confidence, pre-
scribe gold-dust, or the scrapings from
the horn of rhinoceros, as an emmen-
agogue, and will give an idle man ants
to eat, or suggest that coward should
try and procure for his meal a little
lions flesh" The fumes of burning
animal bodies are supposed to exert
influence. An effectual
use is made of cauterization; and an ex-
cellent syrup for coughs and colds is
by boiling figs, dates and
raisins. Fractures are dressed with
splinters and tow soaked in honey.
Disease is attributed to evil spirits, and
noises and a display of weapons are
expected to brighten them away. False
teeth and other European innovations
are presented as an interference with
divine will.-ArkanSaW Traveller.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
IHE SNOW PLANT.
A Beautiful Flower Indigenous to the
sierra Nevada Mountains.

A Beautiful Flower Indigenous to the
sierra Nevada Mountains.
One of the most interesting products
of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and
one which never fails to excite the Won
der and admiration of the tourists.
whether from the East or the large
cities of the coast, is the beautiful snow
plant. The SC entific name for thrs
flower is Sarcodes Sanguin@, meaning
"bloodeL flesh" June is its month of
blossoming, and it can then be found
growing in secluded spots in the noun
tains where the snow falls deepest in
winter and where the tall grass grows
thickly and oasis an unbrOken shade.
The plant itself is from four to ten
inches in height, and it is % Il bright
scarlet color, including leaves and
flowers. although the stem is pink
and white. The flowers are
attached close to the stem, and the
Leaves curl upward and partially hide
the flowers from view, the whole being
in the form Of cone. The leaves have
a delicate. frost-like edge. which makes
them extremely beautiful. Every
visitor to this vicinity always manages
to secure one of these curiOsities to
show to friends below. How these
plants grow is not known to botanists,
as they are neither seed nor bulb. They
are supposed to be parasitic, and can
not be propagatcd. Localities where
they are abundant one season may not
produce single specimen the next.
A beautiful Indian legend is con-
nected with the origin of this flower,
which is to the effect that once upon
time lovely Indian maiden died OF
broken heart on account of the faith
lessness of her lover; that her spirit
sought refuge in the darkest hooks in
the forest, where sounds of her sObbing
and wailing are frequently heard
among the trees; that the tears she she'd
are drops of blood. and wherever one
of these touches the earth there springs
up a crimson plant.-Truekee (Cat. J
Republican.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
A True Mother of Heroes.

A recent application of West Vir.
ginian named Brown at the Pension
Office in Washington brought to light
the fact that one mother had given six.
teen sons to the service of the Union
during the war. She had borne thirty.
three children in all, of whom twenty
were boys, and of these only four did
not serve us soldiers in the Union army.
Two were killed and fourteen survive.
Each of the latter is to-day in receipt Of
pension from the Government for
disabilities received in the service, and
the death of her other soldier sons ell.
titles the mother also to a pension.
The case is an interesting one, not only
for the remarkable number of sons OF
one mother who wore the blue, but a.
how contagious was the
war spirit in some families along the
line of fire.-Chicdgo Ne,0S.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
AFTER THE BATTLE.
The Aspect of Troops ut Parade and DuS-
ing Sanguinary Conflict.

ing Sanguinary Conflict.
The aspect of troops oil all arms OF
the service is very different in battle
from the trim and neat parade appear
ance, but nowhere is this difference so
marked rs in the artillery. 1t was al
ways most interesting to me to watch
a battery going into action. The artil-
lerymen were very careful at all times
to be dressed strictly in accordance
with regulations, and when a battery
took position every cannoneer locked
as il he had just prepared himself for
inspection. Nothing could be mater
and more uniform than their appear
ance. But this did not last long. As
the fire began to get hot jacket here
and there would be thrown off; next
the collars would go, and often the
shirts. The men were soon bathed in
perspiration. which they would hastily
brush off with their powder-blackened
hands, leaving great marks wherever
they touched themselves. When the
men began to fall and were carried to
the rear by their comrades, blood stains
were added to the powder marks. and at
the close of the fight the artillerymen,
so remarkable for their fine appe arance
at its opening, presented the most hor-
rible spectacle that can be imagined
But they soon removed ali trace of the
fray. and by the next day were as clean
and neat as eyer Coloyt1l u r. GOta~
dOLJo, tn 81. Louis Globe Democrat.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
OF INTEREST TO LADIES.
Two Incidents illustrating the Difference
There Is In People.

There Is In People.
Within two days the listener wit
messed a couple of incidents on Wash
ington street which illustrated admira--
bly, the difference there is in people.
Passing along near the corner of Tenn
pie place he saw two stout, elderly
ladies, standing side by side-one fac
ing one way, however, and the other
the other way, glaring ut each other
with furious eyes. There was little,
grinning crowd about them, and when,
the listener came quite up to them he
SAW what was the matter. In meeting
and undertaking to pass, the clothing
of these two elderly ladies had come in
contact. and a projecting button upon.
the dress of one had caught in the lace
Oh the garments of the other. Their
strain to disentangle themselves had
drawn them into regular snarl; the
wrath of each had been reused to the
boiling point. and each woman seemed
to be exclaiming, in tie language OF
Scripture: "WhO shall deliver me from
this body of death?" Instead of
leaving the Acknowledgements to-.
one of the two, to be managed
with deliberation and discretion, each
was tugging away spitefully at the
point of jOinture. There seemed tO>be=
likelihood of an occasion for the inter
ference of the police presently, for the
faces of the two ladies We're growing
redder and redder, and their ewes snap
ping more and more furiously. Pres
emily one lady gave desperate tug;
the lace gave way and the tie was sew
cred. But imagine the feelings of the
lady whose lace had been laceratedi
Next day, passing over almost the
same ground, the listener saw pretty
girl. brown-eyed, ruddy-cheeked AMI
short-haired, and stout IrishwOmanz
in bonnet, red and black shawl and
Il green poplin dress, who were walking
in opposite directions, stop all at once
caught fast. just as the two women of
of the day before had been. The young
girl smiled family and good-naturedly.-
and curtseyed.
Sure, miss" said she. IAN it's a
sign that we'll meet in Heaven!"
The young lady smiled more pro-
nouncedly and said: wait moment.
and l will unfasten it.
With half Il minutes work she disen--
tangled the snarl-
'Ah, miss, reminder it" said the
Irishwoman. as she moved away, ra--
diant with smiles, ''we're to meet in.
Heaven surer'-Bost0n Transcript.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
Too Much Enthusiasm.

Teaching. to me-" said an enthrsi--
astic young schOolma' am" is holy
calling. To sow in the young mind the
seeds of future knowledge and watch.
them as they grow and develop. is a
pleasure greater than can tell. never
weary of my work. Think only Of"
81 am very sorry" interrupted the
young man TO whom she was talking,
''that you are so devoted to your pro-
fessiOn, Miss Clark. had hoped that
some day 1 might ask youth fact 1
called tonight to-but l hardly dare
60 on. in the light of what you-
You may go on, Mr.. Smith," said
the young lady. softly. ''rr. little
too enthusiastic at times, perhaps. -
n. y Sun.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
a GAME OF EUCHRE.

She said: ''Shall we play?' I couldn't refuse
So there IN the twilight gray
a rather dangerous light to use
/ agreed that would play.
One after another the pasteboards were SHE'D
Said she: The trump IS heart"
i could not see i'll never tried
Indeed was no expert.
sis il not diamonds" said I. miss Mayr'
mo. sir" said she, IN surprise.
But there were the diamonds, plain as day,
Right in her beautiful eyes.
Trick after trick she gathered them in;
OF coursc I made many slips,
Well satisfied IL could but win
One touch of her finger tips.
Then my turn came: IL was hearts again;
For a moment / was glad,
j took il up. An. the luck Of menl
Twas the only heart had.
j lost that, too, for she did her best,
neither had chance nor plan
was fairly outplayed, I confessed,
And rose up a euchred mani
Since then we have played the game OF life
Together. in loves sweet bands.
And though our wealth is not over rife,
We show each other our hands.
We still follow on the lead of truth,
AS we did that cleaning gray,
And, though we're well on the road from youth,
Hearts, with US, are trumps today.
-HaLidn Lyle, in Philadelphia CAL.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
FASHIONS FREAKS.
Stylish Novelties Adopted by the Leader
OF New York Society.

Stylish Novelties Adopted by the Leaders
of New York Society.
The frock of white pique is again in
favor for little girls.
Dotted fabrics are as fashionable as
I::aided and barred stuffs.
There is a tendency in Paris toward
hats with lower crowns.
The Norfolk is the favorite jacket for
little girls rs well as for little boys.
Boas of white Chantilly and Valen--
ceinnes lace are worn by French women
this summer.
Mitts of silk take precedence of gloves
on all except very dressy occasions at
the moment.
Kilt skirts and blouse waists are the
preferred form for little girls flannel
serge and other wool frocks.
Long wooden bathing stockings to-
match suits in color are provided with
cork soles or slippers of rubber securely
attached TO the bottom of the foot.
The prcttiest summer bonnets an6
hats are of straw trimmed with white
null, white laces, white flowers, white
ostrich tips, white aigrettes and white
birds.
A fiery fancy in the way of red
frock is of Il scarlet batiste dotted with,
black and trimmed with black velvet
bows and cascades of black lace, the
hat, paTasol and shoes to match.
Costumes of white cloth with en-
q CiIl- 81
costumes of silver gray cloth with steel
embroidery and gray pearls, come,
among the latest importations from,
Paris.
The prettiest summer parasols are of;
cresm-colored Saline, with white
Spanish lace cover overhanging the
canopy, the handles of the parasols.
being of white wood decorated with.
scorched designs.
Blue flannel is the preferred fabric
for bathing suits, and the short-sleeved,
blouse waist attached to the trousers
with skirt that buttons on round the
waist, is the popular form of the bath.
suit
There are no new fashiOnsi in bathing
suits, for the manifest reason that bath
ing is no longer fashionable. But peO-
pie battle for all that. and the surf bath
is as popular to-day as ever if not so
fashionable.
The latest fancy in an opera cloak.
or SOrti de bal, is long loose garment
of white brocade, embroidered in silver
and gold. set on to yoke embroidered
with pearls, which covers the shoulders
like deep collar, while from under it
in front fall two long panels of lace,
giving the effect of stole.
The latest fancy in hair dressing is
the c0ifure Ia rrat Greque, not high,
on the head. but drawn up in close
coil, rolled under something like u
French twist on the back of the head,
brushed off the temples and forehead.
with only few light curly tresses fall
ing from under riviere of Jewels or =
Greek fillet that just touches the top of
the forehead and describes n straight
line to the back of the head. The
whole effect is very close, and no adj
ditional hair is required.-N L. Sun.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04

and their enforcement can not be sus-
pended by the action of the Legislature
of State. That the price OF farming
land will advance when there is no
more to be had for the taking seems
evident 1t is difficult to sell any arti-
Gle for any thing like its worth when q
similar thing is given away by some
party in another portion of the coun.
Times.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04
An Actors SeIt-Possession

The French actor, Rcgnier. who died
quite recently, never lost his presenc.
of mind. On one occasion, while act
ing on the stage, the actor with whom
he was to have dialogue, instead of
coming on the stage from the right,
came from toe left. Regnier lad al
ready said:
"Ah. Alphonse, you come at last"
Without being in the least disconnected
by talking to a man who came from
behind, Regnier continued: al saw you
coming in the mirro:. "-zexas Sijl.nQs.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04

"A nameless professor relates the
following: During the after-dinner
talk. the man for whom I was survey.
ing remarked that mathematics always
seemed a very wonderful thing to him.
Thinking to interest him somewhat, j
began to illustrate some of the wonders;
among others. tried to show him the
way in which Neptune was discovered.
After some twenty minutes of elabO-
rate explanation. was somewhat taken
aback to hear him say: Yes, yes; IT
is very wonderful. very; but with a
sigh) there's another thing that alters
troubled me. and that is, why You nave
to carry one for every ten; but, if you
don't. 'twont come cut right "-1caso1
Journal
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04

The real reason why negroes live
20 such an extreme old age is that they
1on't know exactly when they were
born.-iShoe and Leather Reporter.
The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04

1t is said that philosophers are wise
men, but it would not do to conclude
rom this that all wise men are phil
,sophers.
, 1887-10-26
DON'T

let that cold of yours run on. You think
it is a little thing. But it may run into
catarrh. Or into pneumonia. Or con
sumption.
Catarrh is disgusting. Pneumonia is
dangerous. Consumption is death itself.
The breathing apparatus must be kept
healthy and clear of all Instructions and
offensive matter. Otherwise there is
trouble ahead.
All the diseases of these parts, head,
nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs,
can be delightfully."- and entirely cured by
the use of Boschee's German Syrup. If
you don't know this already, thousands
and thousands of people can tell you.
They have been cured by it, and know
how it is, themselves" Bottle only rs
cents. Ask any druggist,
, 1887-10-26

Near a railroad crossing where trains
frequently waited for connection berries
were very plentiful. Two women con-
ceived the idea of making a little money
by selling fresh berries to the hot and
dusty travellers. They forthwith put
their idea into execution, and were soon
passing through the waiting trains offer
ing the fruit for sale. One invariably
made ready sales, selling out before she
had gone through a train; the other al
ways had berries left unsold, and some
times she failed to sell any. One made a
handsome little ''pile" by the end Of the
season; the other questioned whether she
had been paid for her time,
The reason for the success of the n
and the failure of the other was not hard
to find. 1t all lay in the manner Of ser
vice. One of these women was careless
and untidy in her appearance; the other
was scrupulously clean and neat; one
measured her berries from her basket in a
cup, filling it with her hands as she
passed through the train; the other made
up little paper holders lined with fresh
green leaves, and these she filed with
berries before the train arrived. No one
wonders which would sell the best.
Probably some baker or confectioner
may suspect a small sized moral lying
around loose hereabouts .-American Gro
, 1887-10-26

Some important changes are now taking
place in the drinking habits of several
great countries. China, for example, has
Just ordered n lot Of bottled beer for the
use OF the sailors who man her lately
acquired fleet OF ironclads. Japan, not to
be behind her ancient rival, has sent a
professor of Toxic university to Europe
for the purpose Of ''sampling'' the various
kinds of beer that Germany produces.
Thence he will go to England, and on his
return to Japan his imperial majesty, the
emperor, will issue n decree to establish
beer as the national drink. This action is
taken on pccount Of the vicious habit of
gin tippling which has recently obtained a
foothold in Japan. In England, too, the
consumption of beer is on the increase,
whereas the British bill for liquor is
smaller this year han 1t has been for q
decade. In France, on the other hand,
the use of brandy and gin is much more
common and frequent than it was before
the Franco-Prussian war.-The Epoch.
, 1887-10-26
HE ISN'T A STRANGER.
The Engagement of a New York Man IN
Cheyenne.

1t is announced in theatrical circles that
Leander Richardson, until recently con-
nected with various New York dramatic
journals, is about to undertake the task
of managing John Mackey, an eccentric
comedian who has appeared in Cheyenne
with fair success several times. The
manager with the long name will attract
more attention in this section than the
bright star which he guides. Richardson
visited Cheyenne in 1876 in the capacity
of rowing correspondent for the Herald.
He wasn't a very brilliant success as a
letter writer or transmitter of condensed
kilograms and in his struggle for an exist
ence rendered his services to various
Cheyenne and Denver papers, but was
in Invariably dismissed after a brief trial
with the explanation that his style of
journalism was unsuited to the require
ments of the Western press. Finally the
voluble and versatile importation started
for Deadwood, then a mushroom settle
ment in a wild region, but between In
dams and road agents was frightened into
returning before traversing fifty miles of
the distance between the Magic City and
the mecca of the gold hunters.
When next heard of this genius. whose
talents seem to lean in the direction of
perpetrating garbled descriptions of scenes
he never viewed and localities he never
visited, was writing bloodthirsty tales of
~the-gorest character about Cheyenne and
Deadwood people and occurrences for a
cheap and trashy New York publication.
If Leander visits Cheyenne in his
Western tour a few pioneers will be
tempted to greet him with bowie knives
and six shooters.
, 1887-10-26
Negro Cabin. In kentucky.

Looking out the doors and windows of
the cabins, loungiAg in the doorways,
leaning over the low frame fences, gath
ering into quickly forming, quickly dts
solving groups in the dusty streets, they
swarm; they are here from milkwhite
through all deepening shades TO glossy
blackness; octoroons, q~uadroons, mulat-
toes, some with large, liquid, black eyes,
refined features, delicate forms; working,
gossiping, higgling over prices around a
vegetable cart, discussing last nights
church festival, today's funeral or next
weeks railway excursion, sleeping, plan
ming how to get work and how to escape
it. From some unseen old figure in fam
boyant turban, bending over the washtub
in the rear of a cabin, comes n crooned
song of indescribable pathos; behind a
half closed front shutter, a Moorish hued
amoroso in gay linen thrulns his banjo in a
measure of ecstatic gayety, preludtng the
more passionate melodies of the coming
night. Here a fight; there the sound of
the fiddle and the rhythmic patting Of
hands. Tatters and silks flaunt them
selves side by side. Dirt and cleanliness
lie down together. Incidence goes hand
in hand with thrift. Superstition dogs
the slow footsteps of reason. Passion and
self control eye each other all day long
across the narrow way. II there is any
where resolute virtue, all round it is a
weltered muck of low and sensual desire.
One sees all the surviving types of old
negro life here crowded together with and
contrasted with all the new phases Of
'colored" life, sees the transitional stage
of a race, part of whom were born slaves
and are now freemen, part Of whom have
been born freenen but remain so much
like slaves.
1t cannot fail to happen as o walk
along hat you will come upon some
cabin set back in n mall yard n half
hidden, front and side, by an almost
tropical jungle Of vines and multiform
foliage; patches of great sunflowers, never
more leonine In tawny magniacence and
sun loving repose; festoons of White and
purple morning glories over the windows
and up to the low caves; around the
porch and above the doorway a trellis of
gourd vines swinging their long necked,
grotesque yellow fruit; about the entrance
flaming hollyhocks and other brilliant
bits of bloom, marigolds and petunias-
evidences of the warm native taste that
still distinguishes the negro after some
centuries of contact with the old, chast-
ened ideals of the Approximations
lane Allen in The Century.
, 1887-10-26
A ChiId's Death.

Louise, the little daughter of the Rev.
R. E. and Mrs. Field died at 5 o'cock yes
terday morning at the residence of its
parents. The child has never been
strong, but it improved so much in health
lately hat it was thought it had passed
the critical stage. At 8 o'clock Monday
night the child was apparently enjoying
the best of health, but at 9 it was taken
suddenly but it was not thought danger
ously ill. A doctor was sent for who re-
manned until 4 o'clock in the morning.
1t was then thought all danger had passed.
An hour later the child woke up from
sleep and before friends or physician could
be summoned it was dead. The baby
was one year and two months old.
The funeral will take place from the
parents residence on Seventeenth street
near Evans on Thursday afternoon at
half past 2 o'clock. The Rev. Mr.. Boyd,
of Omaha will oficiate.
, 1887-10-26

There is a travelling magician in this
town who frequents the big saloons and
passes round the hat after he has per-
formed some OF his interesting feats OF
Straightforward. Hets particularly strong
In dealing poker hands. In a gathering
Of five yesterday he dealt off hand to one
a pair of tens, to another a pair of jacks,
to another n pair of queens, to another a
pair of kings, Inc reserved for himself a
pair OF aces. The four naturally asked
for three cards each. The cards were
graciously given that made zach person
hold four of q kind, the itinerant magi-
clan having reserved three cards, among
which were two more aces. Immediately
the magician was asked to teach two of
the party the trick, they saying that they
would pay literally for the knowledge.
The magician declined to do so, adding
that he could have been rich long ago Il
lie had cared to be dishonest.-New York
Sun.